Proposal for New Players

[Erik Rutins]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to propose that for new players (and there's inevitably and fortunately some influx of those each year) the community put together a single thread (or point me to the best one that already exists) with links to all of the guides and AARs a new player should read through for best results. I'll pin and FAQ it and for those who are tired of answering the same questions again, a simple link to that thread will then suffice.

Regards,

- Erik

[Maallon]

Thats a great idea.
I found the following thread very helpful when I started out with the game:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2576157

Though some of the info are outdated, for example as far as I know the wiki mentioned there never really came to materialize properly.
But otherwise a lot of great stuff.

[821Bobo]

Erik there is already FAQ thread in the War Room
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2260137

[MarkShot]

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 8xO8Wzi4JG Dojo

[AtParmentier]

The FAQ has some wrong statements (slightly outdated).

[Maallon]

ORIGINAL: AtParmentier

The FAQ has some wrong statements (slightly outdated).

+1
Also there is no clear distinction between house rules and actual game mechanics in that thread.
This can be very confusing if you are new and don't know what you are looking at.

[RangerJoe]

I refer people to both of those threads and suggest that they go through them but they also need to look through the patch notes.

I also refer some people to some AARs so they can read what other people do, especially if there is discussion among players as to the best course to take. But always, play the game that you want to play.

I do not refer people to any videos.

Someone had been working on a new manual but discontinued that project.

[Spanno]

There is also WITPAE A forum squeeze that is available on the forums, that collates some useful forum posts.

[rmeckman]

ORIGINAL: Maallon

Thats a great idea.
I found the following thread very helpful when I started out with the game:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2576157

Though some of the info are outdated, for example as far as I know the wiki mentioned there never really came to materialize properly.
But otherwise a lot of great stuff.

As a relatively new player, I agree that this thread probably contains some of the best information to supplement the official documentation. It has links to picking leaders, logistics, an auxiliary ship guide, and other useful threads. The FAQ at

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2260137

is also useful, although the emphasis on house rules at the top may cause new players to miss the game tips further down. I often use the changing leaders table in this thread as a quick reference when spending political points.

[AW1Steve]

Erik , I applaud you on your suggestions to revitalize the forum and the player base!

Might I suggest a small addition to the effort? It is was historically in many countries during holiday seasons or on major events (coronations , birth of royal children and such) to celebrate such "rebirths" or "rejuvenation s" with a general amnesty for non violent offenders. Why not offer a a general amnesty to those who have been banned from the forum? A "one time , go forth and sin no more" pardon? It might serve to satisfy both camps , those who wanted offenders punished (and they have been , by being banned for a while) while appeasing those who would like to see them returned the fold , where they can add their experience while showing that violating the rules will not be tolerated.

It seems to me to a simple , yet kindly thing to do, a elegant solution to a painful problem. [:)]

[geofflambert]

JWE even?

Love DaBabes.

[MarkShot]

Could you guys make a clear distinction what is best for PBEM and SP, please?

Thank you.

[Maallon]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve

Erik , I applaud you on your suggestions to revitalize the forum and the player base!

Might I suggest a small addition to the effort? It is was historically in many countries during holiday seasons or on major events (coronations , birth of royal children and such) to celebrate such "rebirths" or "rejuvenation s" with a general amnesty for non violent offenders. Why not offer a a general amnesty to those who have been banned from the forum? A "one time , go forth and sin no more" pardon? It might serve to satisfy both camps , those who wanted offenders punished (and they have been , by being banned for a while) while appeasing those who would like to see them returned the fold , where they can add their experience while showing that violating the rules will not be tolerated.

It seems to me to a simple , yet kindly thing to do, a elegant solution to a painful problem. [:)]

+1

[Maallon]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Could you guys make a clear distinction what is best for PBEM and SP, please?

Thank you.

Nothing that was posted is solely useful for PBEM or SP.
Only the FAQ discusses house rules at the beginning which, as mentioned already, can be misleading.

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Could you guys make a clear distinction what is best for PBEM and SP, please?

Thank you.

MarkShot, "what is best" in a game this complex could mean a million things.

Do you mean what is best for new players to study to get into the game?
From what I have seen, there is a wide range of learning styles and levels of patience among players. Some want to study things in a logical fashion before making a move. Others want to "see what it looks like" on videos. Some want to start small and build their knowledge as they tackle more complex scenarios. Some want to leap in and play the game and not worry about mistakes that they will make through inexperience.

I am convinced that the basic tools that already exist are enough to get players started (if they at least try to use them) and that this forum, responsive to new player's individual learning style, is the best way to handle something so complex. You would need an encyclopedia level database to cover all situations that a new player might query.

The FAQ/Info for Newbies thread has not been maintained from what I saw. Over the years a lot of things about the programmer's solutions have been revealed if they help the player understand what is going on without opening up opportunities for some players to "game" the programming and ruin the balance of game play.

Alfred has posted the majority of this info. See his Ship Repair 101 guide as an example. https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.a ... age=1&key=
I suggest the FAQ should contain links to all these guides. Forumites who have found these guides useful could propose them to the moderator for inclusion so the FAQ could be updated as new info becomes clear.

[MarkShot]

Will answer tomorrow when I have a real keyboard. Thanks.

[MarkShot]

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I refer people to both of those threads and suggest that they go through them but they also need to look through the patch notes.

I also refer some people to some AARs so they can read what other people do, especially if there is discussion among players as to the best course to take. But always, play the game that you want to play.

I do not refer people to any videos.

Someone had been working on a new manual but discontinued that project.

What’s the problem with Dojo’s tutorial series for this or other GG games? He weaves mechanics with strategy where you can follow along and repeat the process. Doing yourself is best. He creates excitement for the games.

He also points out great map, Sea Bee Configurator, Kulls XLS.

Even if Matrix had budget they could not buy better. And Matrix has no budget.

His LPs are a waste of time he wastes half a video on greeting his fans on twitch.

After Arumba for Paradox, he is one of the best.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: AW1Steve
Might I suggest a small addition to the effort? It is was historically in many countries during holiday seasons or on major events (coronations , birth of royal children and such) to celebrate such "rebirths" or "rejuvenation s" with a general amnesty for non violent offenders. Why not offer a a general amnesty to those who have been banned from the forum? A "one time , go forth and sin no more" pardon? It might serve to satisfy both camps , those who wanted offenders punished (and they have been , by being banned for a while) while appeasing those who would like to see them returned the fold , where they can add their experience while showing that violating the rules will not be tolerated.

I don't know enough about the history of who was banned or why to agree to that at this time, but I'm willing to listen. Drop me an e-mail at erikr@matrixgames.com and I'll discuss it with the mods here to get myself up to speed.

Regards,

- Erik

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

ORIGINAL: RangerJoe

I refer people to both of those threads and suggest that they go through them but they also need to look through the patch notes.

I also refer some people to some AARs so they can read what other people do, especially if there is discussion among players as to the best course to take. But always, play the game that you want to play.

I do not refer people to any videos.

Someone had been working on a new manual but discontinued that project.

What’s the problem with Dojo’s tutorial series for this or other GG games? He weaves mechanics with strategy where you can follow along and repeat the process. Doing yourself is best. He creates excitement for the games.

He also points out great map, Sea Bee Configurator, Kulls XLS.

Even if Matrix had budget they could not buy better. And Matrix has no budget.

His LPs are a waste of time he wastes half a video on greeting his fans on twitch.

After Arumba for Paradox, he is one of the best.

Personally, I appreciate his enthusiasm for our games. I think it's part of his style that he learns as he plays rather than mastering the game fully before starting to record and play. I haven't watched his WITP tutorials, but his WITE2 videos certainly helped quite a few players.

Regards,

- Erik

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Maallon

Thats a great idea.
I found the following thread very helpful when I started out with the game:
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2576157

Though some of the info are outdated, for example as far as I know the wiki mentioned there never really came to materialize properly.
But otherwise a lot of great stuff.

This looks great - it was last updated in 2015 though, is it still up to date with the current state of the game?